Your burning Xbox One policy questions answered by Major Nelson

Share This article

E3 2013 has come and gone, and with it, we got to see the next generation of Microsoft’s and Sony’s consoles up close and in detail. Microsoft’s showing didn’t go as the company likely planned, and it has been on the defensive ever since. Xbox Live’s Director of Programming Larry Hryb joined the defensive, and took to a video interview where he answered a host of questions from Reddit.

Since the con, the gaming world has been a little baffled by some of the policies Microsoft will be implementing in the Xbox One upon release, such as the 24-hour online check-in requirement, or the console’s mandatory reliance on the Kinect hardware being plugged in. Microsoft will also be implementing some kind of used games policy, wherein developers can charge players to activate a used game. The majority of the burning questions surrounding the Xbox One were posed, and Hryb did his best addressing them.

Hryb explained the required internet check-in as a way for Microsoft to be “flexible,” in that through checking in, the service can provide you with your up-to-date gaming library from anywhere an internet connection is available. Technically, your Steam library works similarly — if you don’t already have a game downloaded and installed, you need to check into the service and download it. Of course, you aren’t required to continually check in after the game is installed, like you have to on the Xbox One. One of the tropes of the Xbox Live service is that it’s a wild west of lawless, bannable offenses. Considering the service requires that 24-hour check-in, it was unclear whether or not banned users would be able to access their games even if they couldn’t log into the service. Hryb clarifies this, and says that users will always have access to their games. This suggests that the online check-in is on a different connection tier than the actual Live service.

A popular sentiment regarding the online check-in ever since it was announced was that rather than have it be online only, Microsoft could have also allowed the check-in to work via putting the physical disc back into the console every 24 hour period. Then, at least, if an internet connection was faulty, users could still play their games. Unfortunately, Hryb noticeably sidestepped the question and said the online check-in was designed for flexibility, not addressing the possibility of physical disc validation as an alternative to internet validation.

Though the Xbox One hasn’t yet released, Hryb was asked what would happen to the game validation at the end of the Xbox One’s life. If the console currently requires online validation every day, would Microsoft have to keep check-in servers up for the rest of the eternity in order to allow gamers to access the games they bought during the Xbox One generation? In theory, Microsoft would either incorporate the Xbox One validation requirements into the following console’s servers, or the company would remove the requirements altogether now that the console is from a defunct generation. Perhaps predictably, Hryb notes that the One hasn’t even released yet, and it’s too early to know how the end of its generation would be handled.

The main focus of the interview is that Microsoft created the seemingly draconian Xbox One always-connected policies in order to support the flexibility to access your games library anywhere. However, Hryb doesn’t explain why the check-in is mandatory for your main console, or why a non-portable gaming platform needs so much focus on accessing your library from anywhere other than your living room. Hryb didn’t exactly assuage anyone’s fears, but at least he didn’t generate any new ill will like a certain Microsoft executive did when he literally stated that people with internet connectivity issues should buy an Xbox 360 instead of an Xbox One.

Tagged In

Post a Comment

I like Larry Hryb. He seems like a stand-up guy. I sure wish he would make the move to Sony like the rest of us former Xbox fans.

Willy McBurgle

He would do well with Sony – I have no idea why he’s still with Microsoft.. He takes all the heat for Mattrick, Ballmer and the Executive Money-grabbing cronies.

Fweds

Maybe you should ask why Phil Harrison MOVED from Sony to Microsoft, ah yes of course ! Sony Executives are not inserted in money or investors they are going to give you everything at cost to make everyone smile they don’t need to make a profit and if we go bust so what, we are so great it’s only money , LOL what a happy world inside the internet…..

denver

The thing is not every one is switching.

VirtualMark

You’re right – there will always be a few loyal dedicated fanboys who’ll stick with Microsoft, no matter how much crap they shove down your throat. You’ll still defend them too, as you truly believe that if someone insults a company you believe in, they insult you. True stupidity.

Sorry to say – most of the intelligent people will be leaving Xbox this time round, as they have principles and don’t like to be dictated to.

Fweds

What you mean like the 10 game shared game library you get from day one on xbox one.

Or do you mean the great news that Sony now charge you a subscription to play games online no matter if you only play them once or twice a year or once a day.. remember the ” Free PSN” that didn’t last long…..

http://www.facebook.com/kyle.s.alexander Kyle Short Guy Alexander

I will and it’s BS but look at the bright side this means that Sony will finally step their game up in regards to the PSN experience

http://www.facebook.com/kyle.s.alexander Kyle Short Guy Alexander

And remember it’s partially Microsoft’s fault that they’re charging for online now because Xbox consumers were being charged for XBL since the start of the 360. That’s partly why SOny thinks it’s ok to charge for the multiplayer component of PSN

dlwilliams12

But you just did insult the person. What are you really saying here?

VirtualMark

I’m saying that I think it’s stupid to support a company that dictates rules to their customers and ignores what they want. Anyone who supports them is either an idiot or has money to burn.

And fanboyism is retarded too – an intelligent person weighs up the pros and cons of each product and makes an informed choice.

dlwilliams12

Do you have a cell phone? How about cable? How about an isp? A personal computer? Pretty sure they all work the same way. And your also saying sony has no rules. Is that correct? If you don’t agree with what Microsoft is selling, don’t buy it. That is your choice. But do you really need to insult the intelligence of the people who do?

VirtualMark

Yes, I have internet. And yes I think people are stupid for supporting this. It’s the principle of the matter – just because it does not affect us, does not mean that we should condone it.

Naberios

I agree completely. I haven’t rented a game in more than 3 years, I’d say only about 5% of my gaming library was purchased used, and I never sell or trade in my games. I also have a fairly solid and stable internet connection.

Having said all that, I have major issues with Microsoft’s new restrictive gaming model purely on principle.

The reasons they’ve listed for the 24-hour check in are laughable. With the exception of the mysterious “Cloud computing”, absolutely everything on the list is either already done or doable with the current gen systems. And until Microsoft demonstrates all these magical abilities the Cloud is supposed to have, I think it’s more like a cloud of smoke. There simply is no legitimate reason to require me as a user to check in with their online service once a day. And the fact that if I don’t, I’ll lose access to ALL of my games (even the ones I have the discs for) is complete and utter b.s.

Mike Wilson-Barrett

Good for you however you are in the minority. Most people use the Used Game market.

Naberios

Which is (now “was” I suppose) why I have issues with their policies. I understand that buy/sell/trade is a big part of gaming. And that fact that big companies don’t seem to understand that a lot of new games get purchased because, and ONLY because, the person was able to trade in or sell some of their old games.

Sorry if you misunderstood, or just stopped reading after the first paragraph.

dlwilliams12

Condone what? What steam has been doing for years? This is not a new model. Is it really that big of a surprise?

VirtualMark

On the PC, I have a choice whether or not to use Steam, whether or not to play online etc. On the Xbox One I won’t have a choice.

You seem to be trying to sell this concept like I don’t understand it, but what you don’t see is that I just don’t care. I have a car, I don’t find it a chore to pop out to the shop to buy a game, I don’t lose disks, I often trade in old games that I don’t play anymore etc. For me, the system doesn’t need to be fixed – in fact downloading a 20Gb file would be loads more hassle than just buying a disc.

The fact is that they’ve taken a choice away from people – I’m surprised that you can’t understand why people aren’t happy about it. I’m also surprised that you don’t see the value in the cheaper games focused PS4, for me it was a no brainer. And that’s after owning both an Xbox and an Xbox 360.

dlwilliams12

O am buying a ps4. I will be passing on the xbox one. But what you don’t understand is doesn’t mean i am going to hate on it. You even said it. On a pc you have a choice. But your not badmouthing steam. With consoles we have a choice. So why are you badmouthing microsoft? If you don’t care, why are you putting so much effort into hating on it?

VirtualMark

Are you stupid? The article is about the Xbox, not Steam, didn’t you see that?

I notice that you’re not badmouthing genocide, arson and necrophilia – by your logic I assume that you support all of these?

dlwilliams12

And now you have resorted to name calling. Nice. Congrats on having a car by the way. That is really something.

VirtualMark

Lol – see what I mean! You are indeed a stupid person – instead of talking tech, you instead ask me why I feel the need to discuss the Xbox One, on the comments section of an Xbox One article. Derp.

dlwilliams12

Your very good at saying stupid. It really shows the extent of your vocabulary. This is what I originally asked you. Why are you insulting people who support Microsoft? Why does it matter to you? And with every valid “tech talking” point I bring up, you respond with name calling, and gibberish. So we have learned two things. You are good at saying stupid, and you hate Microsoft. You seem like a very deep person.

Naberios

Stop comparing what Microsoft was planning to what Steam offers. They are not the same. Not even remotely. Do a google search and you’ll find plenty of detailed articles explaining this and how XB supporters are (wrongly) trying to compare the consumer and developer friendly model that Steam offers with the anti-consumer restrictions MS was trying to put into place.

MS did a poor job presenting the system. In fact, in my opinion, two little changes could have made a huge change in gamer and media perceptions.

1. Changing “Family Plan”(or whatever the official name was) to Friend’s Circle. Had they promoted the fact that you could share your games library with up to 10 PEOPLE not just household family members and that that was why they required an account authentication once every 24 hours, I think gamers would have jumped for joy.

2. Given every console owner a one-time option during the set up of their new Xbox One to either accept the always online system (locking games to the console) or the ability to play offline with no disc locking (but you wouldn’t be able to share your library or be a part of anyone else’s). That way the gamer is given the choice, and with a properly detailed sharing plan I think that MS would have found a large percentage of gamers would accept their terms. And as an added bonus they wouldn’t have left out the military, people in remote areas with poor or non-existent internet, and those gamers who rely on the used gaming market.

But that’s just my opinion, for what it’s worth. As it stands now, they look like a company that’s confused. And since it seems to be so easy to change how the restrictions on their system works, I’m sure that a great many gamers are skeptical that at some point down the road MS will decide to change things again (once they’ve secured a solid foundation of systems in homes). You simply don’t know if they’ll stand by their actions.

There’s still several months before launch, so it’ll be interesting to see whether or not their backtracking will be enough to come out strong this holiday season.

denver

Intelligent no! with your new ps3 update is killing consoles that I want no part of Sony…don’t believe me look at ign in the comments on new ps4 update

Naberios

And it was fixed. I personally didn’t have any issues (as all that happened during my The Last of Us playthrough).

Don’t start flaming like Sony is the only company to make the occasional mistake. At least it was a mistake. I’ve been locked out of my personal data for the 360 for nearly 3 months because of their B.S. security proofs policy. I had an email address go dead and changed to another proof, but instead of having some easy (yet thorough) way to verify my actions, I have to wait. And wait. Seriously, THREE forms of contact/identification, and they can’t let me get on with things within a week or two?

Illusive Man

You’re not an Xbox fan if you move to Sony. I’ve been with Xbox since day one. It was a natural choice coming from the Dreamcast. I don’t follow the herd just because that is the ‘in’ thing to do. I’ll admit Microsoft has a big PR problem not because they don’t have good ideas, or because they are “evil” (how we forget how evil Sony has been), but because they simply don’t know how to communicate their ideas to consumers. Their best feature: the ability to share with up to 10 other users from their XBO should have been a massive headline at E3. It was not. MS is still trying to figure out how to roll out this new all digital Steam-like system. I will give them a little longer to figure it all out. Launch is still a few months away. Sony is riding the PR wave now but if you want to be honest their press conference was pretty uninteresting. They pretty much said..here you go an upgraded PS3..oh and by the way everything is going to be the same………………………………………….except PSN.

Jamesonian

Anyone who’s a “fan” of any company needs to rethink their priorities. Companies are in the business of providing goods and services– nothing more. They would like, however, for you to think otherwise. They would like for you to become loyal to their products as such loyalty insulates them from product failures or price increases.

Resist this. Resist the efforts of any corporation– but in particular Microsoft and Apple– to earn your loyalty. Judge each of their products on its merits and never– NEVER– wait in line at midnight just for the chance to purchase it.

Phobos

That’s the thing with most Americans, they are brainwashed, Only in the U.S I have seen people outside of the store waiting to buy a console, pathetic and sad.

Fweds

You do know that “Brainwashing” was disproved many years ago, funny how you have never seen Europeans waiting outside a store just like the people do in the USA, as it happens in exactly the same way maybe you should google it.

McNo

I guess that’s because you are an american. Me, I have never witnessed anything with my own eyes without actually being there as it happened….

Jamesonian

I wouldn’t know what happens in other countries but I can tell you that foreign visitors appear to wear their fair share of corporate logos. The unfortunate desire to be identified with the branding of a company doesn’t respect political borders.

Tim

I waited in line for 3 hours to buy a 360 on launch day. Sold it for a $400 profit. I wouldn’t call waiting to buy it pathetic and sad, I’d call it enterprising. Now, the person who bought it off me for such a large mark-up on the other hand…..

Sipho Mfungi

Well said.

Bush O Connor

spot on, being loyal to a company for no reason whatsoever, is just dumb.
companys are just out to take your money, thats all they want and they don’t care about you.

wolfjemidas1

I totally agree with you that Sony isnt a saint. Because of history i was very affraid to see the Xbone succeed, because in the next generation of consoles (xbox2 or ps5) they would implement it too, just like they embraced pay to play online because MS got away with it.

That beeing said, i rather go with a company that gives me hard promisses than a company that takes your rights and wants to go like steam, but cant promisse anything. Thats just the problem. I get the steam idea, but its dumb. AAA titles on steam arent that much cheaper, steam has great offline possibilities and for some other titles, they are cheaper because of competition. With MS its on a closed platform, so there is no competition and Ms can charge me what they want. I refuse to give up my rights and options now in the hope we can fly away on unicorns some day.

buddynugget

rock on illusive man that was very well put. most people are always connected why its such a big deal now that a check is required even though your already online is beyond me. on top of that people with spotty connections this system will still work just fine it takes seconds for the check in hell you could connect using a mobile hotspot if you needed to it plenty enough bandwidth to get your updates and check in. Steam suffered a similar PR nightmare when it launched its now the most popular portal for PC games anywhere. Im all for change its an inevitable future that everyones going to have to accept sooner or later microsoft is ahead of the game sure theyll take all the heat for it but itll be the better console for it in the years to come. theyve already won my money it will be my main console ive explained the negatives and positives to all my friends and we all decided xbox one is where its at. i myslef will buy a PS4 for exclusives when the price drops.

hmmm

What do you mean “I dont follow the heard”? The X360 outsold the PS3, which means you were deep in the herd. Of course, if you had an Xbox during the PS2 era, I would just call you an idiot, herd or not.

HA HA ha pure comedy, funny isn’t it that in the “REAL WORLD” you know the one outside of the internet there is not one person I know with an Xbox who is going to “MOVE” to Sony they like myself are getting the Xbox One.

Back to the internet world I wonder how many “FORMER” PS fans are going over to Xbox now they have read the news about the 10 game share library

http://www.facebook.com/kyle.s.alexander Kyle Short Guy Alexander

You’re american aren’t you?

http://www.cynthianicole.com/ Cynthia Battle

That’s it. I have been with Xbox for a few years and was already mad about the steep price of $60 a year just to play online but I still stayed with them, but NOW this stupid crap has made them lose this customer/gamer forever. PS4 here I come.

David King

Yeah that’s the major turn off for me as well, Microsoft must think people are stupid to be able to charge them for their own internet and call it “Xbox Live Gold”. Also they keep raising the price on “Gold”, used to be 50 dollars a year, not that its ever an expense worthy of purchasing anyways.

This is such an audacious reach for control its unbelievable.

MS will be shooting itself in the foot just like Netflix did when it attempted to split up. Only this time I don’t think they will recover as much as Netflix, since they will obviously refuse to correct or change anything.

I’m at least happy there are more than a few people with enough sense to tell Microsoft to “shove it”.

denver

Incase your unaware Sony charges also and that poor excuse for online they should not be charging for

David King

I have a PS3 AND an Xbox 360 thank you very much. You are bold faced lying to me, I play PS3 online all the time and my connection has been great.

On the other hand i pay for Xbox Live and the online experience is WORSE. I get lagged out, dropped, or my xbox will just plain freeze after some online error.

My PS3 is actually MORE RELIABLE and FASTER. Also they don’t force me to pay for some online service to play multiplayer.

Maybe you could do the general public a favor and stop supporting a console that is ridiculously corrupt.

How much does Microsoft pay you for “Reputation Management”? The grass IS greener on sony’s side. Sorry.

dns7950

There are a lot of reasons to go with PS4 over the xbox one, but in case you haven’t heard, starting with the PS4 you WILL have to pay for Playstation Plus to play online multiplayer. At least you’ll get some free games now and then, and discounts on most games.. Netflix and other services will still work without though, unlike on the xbox.

David King

Well.. that really blows I wish Sony wouldn’t follow suit with the whole paying for your own internet connection. At least they’re not forcing an always on dual camera / microphone on you. Maybe I will just not be either of these new consoles, I really despise paying for made up services, re branding my own internet.

As far as paying this fee for ‘servers’, that’s complete BS, almost everyone’s internet nowadays is fast enough where they can easily host their own server, just open a few ports and viola.

Fweds

Hmm PS+ well sort of free games more like borrowed really, your sub runs out and the games are taken away.
MS gold are now “GIVING” two games a month and if your sub runs out they are still yours to keep.

As for netflix, I doubt many people are going to buy a PS4 without paying for the compulsory subscription just for netflix, Xbox live kills PSN for media apps

Sergio Cardoso

Ouch!! You told him! lol

David King

Lol I’m just way too upset with Microsoft to talk about this in a debatable manner. My bad.

denver

And you obviously have not done any research then because when they ps4 drops in the holiday season BOTH consoles will require PS+ and your really smoking something if you thing Sonys PSN is anywhere close to Xbox live and the PlayStation is going to “let the publishers” decide on drm just as Microsoft is doing the only deference is the online connection so obviously youneed to do more research just like half of the people that pre-orderd consoles

Xplorer4x4

“BOTH consoles will require PS+”
Huh?

“the PlayStation is going to “let the publishers” decide on drm just as Microsoft is doing the only deference is the online connection”
I think you need to do some research lol. The PS4 DRM only applies to online content(at this time). If you loan a PS4 game disc to a friend, there will be no DRM preventing them from playing that game.

For the record, I am not much of a gamer and have no plans to but either console at launch. I might pick one up but only one the price comes down. At that time I will weigh the options as I suspect some changes may come in the future. Perhaps $ony will force DRM on game discs. Perhaps $ony will require you to check in every 24 hours as well.

Xplorer4x4

“On the other hand i pay for Xbox Live and the online experience is WORSE. I get lagged out, dropped, or my xbox will just plain freeze after some online error.

My PS3 is actually MORE RELIABLE and FASTER. Also they don’t force me to pay for some online service to play multiplayer.”

Have you tried ping tests from your computer to the servers in question? Did you ever think it might just be your ISPs fault rather then $ony or M$?

David King

Yes I have run several latency tests and gone through many trials for consoles to see the network area types as ‘OPEN’. I also host my own dedicated servers for a few games, web applications, and one for an HTPC. I have experience testing wireless networks for security and securing routers with custom firmware. I also have good experience installing cat5, coax cable, security & fire systems.

I have talked to my ISP on several occasions, not in regard to Xbox vs PS3, but rather to filter out issues in connectivity. It would be no exaggeration to say I was raised in an ISP, because I was, my parents owned a small local ISP back in the 90’s.

Im not a registered MCSA, or a technology genius by any stretch, but at least I know what I’m talking about with a fair degree of knowledge in the matter.

So to answer your question, No I don’t think any of the problems were ever my ISP, I would notice immediately.

If I were to give you an crappy guess, I think about half the connectivity problems stem from the multiplayer programming of the application in question, and roughly the other half is the quality of XBOX’s hardware after a couple years (it starts failing having random errors that sort of junk), even the XBOX NIC is limited to 100 Mbit/s (maybe they’ve changed this since newer kinect-friendly consoles).

Fweds

First off SONY ARE going to charge you $50 to play online games on the PS4. there is no more free psn from November.

Your description of Xbox live vs PSN is just to funny it’s like you must live in some parallel world where everything is the opposite or something..

You really shouldn’t accuse people of working for a company just because they have a different opinion to yours it just makes your whole argument look weak and using it as a get out clause.

http://www.facebook.com/kyle.s.alexander Kyle Short Guy Alexander

-_- PSN is still free you smart ass you’re spreading misinformation…..the only thing that is gonna change come november is that in order to play a game’s multiplayer you’ll need PS+ subscription.

Naberios

Kyle Short Guy Alexander covered your 1st major fanboy error. The Second is that while PS+ is in fact $50/yr, XBL is $60/yr. And the free games you get aren’t just a couple of “crappy old indie games”. And anything you buy that has a PSN+ discount is yours forever, even if it was 75% off (or more). And while your access to the completely free games you get on PSN is suspended if your account lapses or is canceled, what is the actual likelihood of any gamers actually opting out of either a PSN+ or Gold account? Not very high. And you can always go back to PSN+ if you want to play all those games you downloaded for free.

Get your shit straight before posting things that sound like they came out of the “Xbox Fanboy Flame Machine”.

http://www.facebook.com/kyle.s.alexander Kyle Short Guy Alexander

Actually dude ammmmmmmmmm…..PS4 users are gonna need to pay $5 a month or $50 a year in order to play games online multiplayer component. However using PSN is still free though. Just letting you know the facts as I’m also a PS3 user.

denver

Atleast what you were paying for was a quality live experience now you will be paying a similar price for a laggy live experience so good luck with that and remember you get what you pay for

Tim

Yes, but at least on the PS4 you’ll be able to use online services like Netflix and Amazon Instant without paying for the premium service. That’s my main complaint with having to pay for XBLive Gold. The gaming side of it I can see some justification, but there is no value added for those other services that gives them grounds to require a subscription from them to access your subscription with a third party.

I’ve been an Xbox gamer since the beginning, and I’ve never owned a Sony console, but I won’t be able to say that much longer unless MS addresses these complaints with action rather than defensive statements.

denver

As far the silver membership goes I do not iv always had gold and iv always been able to use every thing but since Sony started doing that it wouldn’t surprise me if Microsoft did that now also since there selling there console to more than just gamers now

Macy Slator

Yea, i never understood why MS keeps talking about taking over the living room when they put netflix, hulu, etc behind the Live subscription.

http://www.cynthianicole.com/ Cynthia Battle

Quality Live Experience? Seriously? I get lagged out of games all the time. So do others. The games are dropped all the time its so annoying.

denver

If your all pissed off at Microsoft like most of your then you obviously don’t understand what there trying to I’m not saying there perfect but just remember the grass isn’t always greener on the other side.

mori bund

I guess I understand what they’re trying to do:
placing the gaming industry’s wishes over the costumer’s wishes.
(Looks like for Microsoft costumer’s wishes have no value at all nowadays!)

BTW: if you know what they’re trying to do, then tell me what they are trying to do with their new Binding Arbitration Clause, that forbids costumers Class Action Waivers.

And what I think is funny that no one is talking about is Sony announced the ps3 as a console that didn’t require fee to play online and now in December after they have sold 70 million consoles they force people to pay for ps+ just imagine what there going to do this gen my guess is follow Xbox like usual after they sell most of there consoles.

iKool

You’re just mumbling nonsense.

denver

Just like most of you PlayStation faggots are doing right now

iKool

XD

Macy Slator

^ And this is why I’m going with the PS4 this next generation. Definitely an Xbox Live user.

hmmm

WOW! A lot of hatred over a fucking box that plays video games. Get out from under Ballmer’s desk, stupid cunt.

mori bund

Insulting others with homophobic slurs because they like another box as you – how old are you? 11?
Your mommy should take away your pc…

denver

Hey fuck boy its called a smart phone

Willy McBurgle

Microsoft’s PR has descended to the point of utter madness…

Roberto Monteiro

Major Nelson my A**, crappy answers and some of them he simply didn’t answered, bunch of words but no answers. Not much of world is connected, most of the northern hemisphere is connected, internet on the southern sucks big time it’s not worth it at all.

Fweds

If you have NO internet the PS4 or xbox one is not really worth getting as they both use the internet for about 50% of their advantages over the last gen.

You may as well just use the ps3 or 360

As for poor quality internet that does not matter as the 24 hour check is only a few kilobytes.

yakapo

50% of their advantages? Please explain.

Tim

Here’s what would bring me back to Xbox, and it isn’t an unreasonable list, but I am serious that I will not buy one if every one of these issues is not corrected:

1. Don’t require the Kinect to be hooked up. If we truly have the option to turn it off, there should be no reason we can’t just unhook it altogether. If it is truly turned off completely, how would the console even know if it was there or not? Obviously it is still responding to the system to verify that it is connected.

2. Allow an option to play with the discs in the machine rather than require a 24-hour check-in. Give me the option to turn off the Internet checks which then turns on a setting that requires the disk to be present to play, similar to how installed games on the 360 works: the disk must be present.

3. Make it possible to share/rent/sell games to individuals (like on eBay) rather than require us to go through your partners like GameStop.

4. Stop requiring Xbox Live Gold in order to use third party services like Netflix, Amazon Instant and Hulu. If the Xbox One is truly meant to be the one stop solution for living room entertainment, why do you require a separate fee for those services that I can get for free from my Blu-ray player, Smart TV or other game console?

VirtualMark

Agree with all, but I’d just change 1 – I’d rather they’d just sell it without the stupid Kinect. I’ve no need for it and would resent paying for it.

http://www.cynthianicole.com/ Cynthia Battle

Yep. I have this thing that i hook up to my tv and it turns it into a smart tv with youtube, hulu, netflix and alot of other features. I cant think of the name of it right now but it was only $100.

Tim

Roku?

http://www.cynthianicole.com/ Cynthia Battle

Just looked it up. I see Roku, but I have the WDTV

John Pombrio

All these articles about MS new policy with the XBox One is missing THE most important point. MS is trying to get gamers to GIVE UP PHYSICAL DISKS for consoles. It would have been fitting for the XBox One to have shipped WITHOUT AN OPTICAL DRIVE and a lower cost. Oh, the howls that would have brought out!
By going ALL DIGITAL, there are so many possibilities. Renting a game over the web. All the games of a library you can play subscription. Playing your game on another console. Tie games together over the web. No more drawers full of scratched, unplayable, or lost game disks. MS even said that games will use the cloud to offload some of the processing needed for a game, giving a big boost to the games graphics and physics.
It have been years since I bought a physical “disk” for my PC. About time consoles went the same way.
As for checking in every 24 hours, that is purely a software decision and could be changed or hacked in the future.

Go digital or go home.

Phobos

So I guess by your point of view, you pretty much saying screw the one’s that don’t have high speed internet and the people living in rural areas where the internet is limited. Having to download a freaking game that is around 8 to 12GBs is a waste of time in my opinion. Much rather buy the game at the store and install it in a few minutes rather than wait a few hours until it finish downloading.

buddynugget

Block downloads you can begin playing as you download so there is no wait. the recommended bandwidth for the xbox one is 1.5mb/s the average US internet connection is 7.4mb/s with roughly 85% of people always connected. Where the issue is i dont know i just done see it. Youll still be able to resell lend and rent games MS has already said that only difference is a 24 hour check on Xbox if that is too much of a hassle (if it is thats pretty stupid since you wont even notice it) or you dont have any internet connection than just buy a PS4 and quit your bitching.

buddynugget

on top of that if internet goes out use a mobile hotspot from your smartphone and just connect your xbox that way it takes seconds or a few minutes for updates. No load times virtually no download times are big pluses.

Phobos

Screw that, you can deal with that crap, that’s for sure.

buddynugget

Its a non issue my internet is always connected anyway that’s why I qont ever notice it but ill reap all the benefits

Ramtha604

‘Digital': You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.

VirtualMark

I think that he thinks that old consoles are analog? Or perhaps the CD is analog? Lol!

Ramtha604

I don’t think he’s really aware that this is what he’s actually implying. The word ‘digital’ is commonly misused in the media when ‘virtual’ or ‘non-physical’ would be the appropriate terms. These are often avoided, because referencing the sale of ‘virtual’ or ‘non-physical’ ‘goods’ in a correct manner would sound too close to what is actually happening: charging money for nothing (‘no thing’).

John Pombrio

Yeh, my age is showing. “Digital” used to mean a “digital download” via a modem vs. using physical media like a floppy. Both have bits and bytes but that was just the terminology 20 years ago to distinguish the two types of downloads.

Ramtha604

I highly doubt the word “digital” was misused this way 20 years ago, when diskettes (not actual floppy disks anymore, but inflexible diskettes, still casually referred to as “floppies”) were still a thing, as there wasn’t even a significant consumer market for virtual goods, sold over the internet, back then. I’m kind of curious if you can provide any sources supporting your claims.

VirtualMark

Yes, because we all just can’t wait to be able to download 20GB+ next gen games just to rent them for a night or two! That’ll be so much fun, waiting for several hours, not being able to use our internet until that stupid huge download finishes, I just can’t wait!

Oh and offloading physics in games would be just super – just what we need, as 8 cores just isn’t enough to calculate physics. I just can’t wait to see the trees and water in the new games have super accurate physics that’s calculated by the cloud. Just imagine the lovely huge delay that it’ll introduce by calculating this stuff on a remote computer then sending it back every single frame, wow, it’ll really be great.

Or perhaps you’re a cretin?

Phobos

Funny I still have Sega Saturn disks that still play, that’s a bit more than 10yrs old. Just to show you with a little bit of care they can last a long time. I think the whole cloud to play games is a BS.

meddle0ne

If it’s possible to play the games while they’re downloading, as MS has eluded to, then it wouldn’t be an issue.

Fweds

@ VirtualMark

I take it you have not heard about the 10 game share library available at launch on the Xbox one ?.

Share games with 10 others and can be 1,000s of miles apart. etc

VirtualMark

I really don’t care – it’s a non issue on the PS4. I’m not even that bothered about sharing games, it’s something that I do rarely. But I’m more bothered about restrictions – it’s the principle of the matter. Once we start accepting our freedoms being restricted, it can only get worse.

KayCee

FREEEEEEDDDDOOOMMMM! People love using a word they know nothing about. We live in a world we their is no freedom. Look up the definition of freedom and see if you have it now.

VirtualMark

I see – so the fact that I don’t like my feedoms being restricted, leads you to the conclusion that I don’t know what freedom is?

Riight. Do you know what an idiot is? Its’ you.

iKool

It doesn’t change the fact that now MS is using as a way to monetize from every game and service. It also doesn’t change the fact that their plan will not only hurt consumers but also businesses.

I’ve been reading all the comments and I can see why ppl can’t get along. This shouldn’t be an issue but I d put the blame on ms pr team. What they should have did was bring out lavar burton and had him read instructions to all who never used iTunes, google apps or a kindle but thats not the case if you don’t like the x1 you wasn’t gonna get it anyway. How can you find every reason to hate a product. I just need you to ask yourself these questions. How much are ps4 games? What are they doing to fix psn. If they don’t have drm why did Trenton make the same statement as ms. A man alone can be a scholar but put him in a room of fools. I’ll let you figure it out.

iKool

PS4 games are $59.99 brand new or less if used. Why is this relevant to the current issue?

Jamie MacDonald

I would have got it, being a 360 owner. Not now it’s deliberately screwing me over.

themrvin

I just preordered the Xbox One. The reason I am getting the Xbox is solely due to Forza 5, Titanfall, Dead Rising 3, and Halo which are the main reasons I even play video games in the first place. I never really got into Playstation exclusives.

For me personally, I don’t remember the last time being without internet for more than 24 hours in many years. I understand people in rural areas but I feel this problem is only important for those people. But really though, in this day of age are there really that many people without internet in the US? I feel like thats a bigger issue than which system to get.

The only thing I am worried about is the policy of selling used games. I know its up to the developers which in that case I don’t mind as much. That just means more money for them which in turn allows them to create even better games in the future. I have no problem supporting developers (I know how much hard work it takes). As for sharing games, you can have 10 people in your “family” which would be fine for just me and my friends sharing.

Anything else I am missing? Im just getting the xbox for the GAMES, rather than the PS4 and all this media hype, especially when most of the policies fit into my lifestyle, and many others as well, who are worried about these policies.

iKool

Are people from the USA the only people that should play videogames?

themrvin

Absolutely not, I was just speaking for my own country but the same can be applied to anywhere else. I agree though, it was a mistake in the online check in and the decision will drastically effect the sales of the xbox especially with those without internet or where the xbox is not supported (I believe only 21 countries are supported by xbox). I really do feel bad for people in these situations not being able to play these games. I would love to play online with people around the world.

It really comes down to which console will you purchase and why? My point is that I will be purchasing for the games and I’m just going to suck it up and deal with their policies. Its really similar to the issue of Microsoft and Apple, are you going to give money to a company whose hardware is very restricted or to a company who allows for open customization? Or with cell phone providers, Sprint is not available in my area so I’m stuck with AT&T. How is this any different?

You give your money to whichever fits your lifestyle better. If Xbox is good for you then buy it, if PS4 suits you better, then buy that. Of course Microsoft will be losing a lot of “could have been money”.

Jamie MacDonald

Except the Sprint vs AT&T makes sense because of the lack of transmitters. A console shouldn’t need a connection, just AC, BD, and a TV.

themrvin

True, I guess in this case the lack of transmitters would be equivalent to the lack of bandwidth available at your location, for the people who can’t play the xbox at least. It really sucks, Microsoft could have made soo much more money, I don’t get why they went with this policy either. I was just saying I’m not switching to PS4 just because of this is all. If I lived in an area without internet, i would be forced to the PS4. You deal with the cards your dealt i guess. But what are we supposed to do?

zapper

Baldy has shot anotha caper

no mo baldy gamin fo mee

Mike McDonald

I do find it funny that everyone is saying “thats stupid that you have to be connected to the internet! some people don’t have internet!” Yeah um, your talking about people that either do not play with you online, or usually do not own a system. On top of that, why are you so worried, I mean come on, common sense, your commenting on these things on your computer. which means you have INTERNET. mind blowing huh?

Jamie MacDonald

I personally have my 360 set up in a shed/man cave, so then I can have the volume full whack and not disturb anyone. Routing ethernet cables would be a chore that would involve drilling a lot of holes between there and my living room, and the existing wi-fi isn’t powerful enough for the signal to actually reach the XBox.

I’ve always been more of a single player fan anyway. Haven’t had Live in two years because it just doesn’t appeal to me.

KayCee

Guess what get PS4 and shut it.

Jamie MacDonald

That’s basically what I said. Who are you, CEO of Microsoft?

Sarah Nobrega

Your statement is pretty ignorant. I’m typing this from my cell phone and my cell phones data plan, not my computer as you would suggest. Mind blowing stuff, right? Also, my husband and I play Xbox at home all the time as we are “always connected”. Oh, wait, no we aren’t as we live on a military base that frequents base-wide power outages multiple times a year. When my husband leaves for Afghanistan at the end of the year, guess what we won’t be buying? A freakin’ Xbox one! Considering he won’t be able to play the flipping thing in a desert with unreliable internet access!!

You sir, are the one lacking common sense. Not everyone is in the position to meet Microsoft’s ridiculous requirements. If you are in the position to do so, more power to you. However, my household’s 11 year relationship with Xbox was over when Adam Orth started running his arrogant mouth, providing consumers a preview of what was to come and, how they (and people like yourself) chose to more or less tell people like my husband to go **** himself if he couldn’t comply with their absurd standards.

We will stick with our 360, and purchase our first PlayStation when the PS4 is released.

KayCee

go **** himself and get a PS4 whiners

Sarah Nobrega

I sure will :)

Mike McDonald

I’m very glad for you and your husband. I really hope you enjoy your PS4. But oh no, here comes another “ignorant” comment. I get that power outages happens, but…if it does, how would you play or use your tv anyway??? As far as being worried about these ridiculous requirements? Why would I be worried? I have internet almost all the time, I’m not in the military so I have no worry about that, but if my internet goes down, oh well. I’ll do something else for that 24 hour or how ever long. I still own an xbox 360 and I have my PS3. Or, I could do something outside. The price doesn’t bother me, (ps4 was also high and people went crazy over that). I’m sorry your husband wont have an xbox one to enjoy while protecting us against a war that shouldn’t even be happening, but hey, like you said, he is going to have the PS4 to enjoy. Safe travels for your husband.

Sarah Nobrega

Obviously my TV won’t work, but that also means my internet will be shut down. That’s exactly my point. How are we, other service members, or the other people in these types of situations supposed to connect once a day if we have shoddy access to the internet? It’s pretty crappy that Microsoft is more or less alienating individuals who’d also like to share in the experience of next gen consoles. It’s almost as if you’re seen as a second class citizen. You can’t meet these requirements? Tough ****, use the 360. That’s my problem.

Also worth mentioning, Microsoft has pretty much done to the Xbox what MTV did to Music Television when they changed their format preferring to focus on bullshit “reality” shows and halting their focus on music. Microsoft is focused on the “entertainment experience” and not on the “gaming experience” as it’s meant to do as a gaming console.

And thank you for your show of support to our nation’s service members.

thornboosh

Don Mattrick needs the boot, SACK HIM!

Dwayne

I don’t mind the DRM. It was bound to happen. The XBox One, like the PS4, is DRM capable. It’s up to the publisher to choose to use it. I don’t like the phone-home every 24 hours. I know enough people without reliable internet that will end up with a PS4 and since we game together every Sunday on a LAN we’ll LAN our PS4’s in stead of our Xbox 1’s.

biggy

if you understand what the HDMI In means it means that you can use the Xbox as a stream device as well so logically you could plug the HDMI in Into you xbox360 an stream the xbox 360 games through the console onto the TV

John Richardson

Flexibility = Microsoft checking license validity at the expense of anyone that doesn’t have interenet – for what ever reason; remote location, service down etc.

Use of this site is governed by our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Copyright 1996-2015 Ziff Davis, LLC.PCMag Digital Group All Rights Reserved. ExtremeTech is a registered trademark of Ziff Davis, LLC. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Ziff Davis, LLC. is prohibited.